As far as countries go, Canada is one of the youngest. Cities like Vancouver and Victoria have only been around for just over 100 years. Compare that to cities in Europe, and they have barely reached their adolescence.
Even five or six generations in, things have changed, however. One only needs to look as far as the Canadian Ensign. It would be safe to say that most of Canada's youth, in fact, most Canadians, would not recognize this flag.
It's ironic in a way, because it was not the maple leaf that Canadian soliders in WW2 lived and died for. It was the Ensign. O Canada was not sung, it was the Maple Leaf Forever.
The Ensign was modified a few times to be inclusive of the other backgrounds that make up Canada. A fleur de lis was a nod to French Canada, where the lions stood for Wales, the harp Ireland, and the Union Jack as a salute to Britain. Canada's spirit of diversity has always been present, and in the Ensign it was advertised.
The Ensign brings back memories of a different time. After the war and during the 40s and 50s, Canada was a much different place, with a set of values that seems to have been set aside as well.
It's ironic in a way, because it was not the maple leaf that Canadian soliders in WW2 lived and died for. It was the Ensign. O Canada was not sung, it was the Maple Leaf Forever.
The Ensign was modified a few times to be inclusive of the other backgrounds that make up Canada. A fleur de lis was a nod to French Canada, where the lions stood for Wales, the harp Ireland, and the Union Jack as a salute to Britain. Canada's spirit of diversity has always been present, and in the Ensign it was advertised.
The Ensign brings back memories of a different time. After the war and during the 40s and 50s, Canada was a much different place, with a set of values that seems to have been set aside as well.
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